Sainsbury’s has teamed up with one of the biggest names in motor sport to give its store fridges a turbo boost.
LONDON, 2015-4-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Thanks to the technology of Williams Advanced Engineering, Sainsbury’s fridge systems are being fitted with aerofoils – the same technology that helps to improve the performance of F1 cars on the road. These aerofoils have been designed and manufactured by Aerofoil Energy Ltd, and Williams’ Advanced Engineering has worked closely with them to use F1 aerodynamics technology to refine the design.
Aerofoils streamline the flow of air around an object – and help F1 cars to grip to the road. They’re now being fitted to Sainsbury’s fridges – and are already making radical changes to energy use.
.@williamsadveng partners with @Sainsburys to install F1-inspired aerofoils on fridgesClick to Tweet
How does it work?
- Cold air streams down from holes in the top of the fridge cabinet to keep products cold.
- Some of this cold air is blown out of the front of the cabinet, into the store, instead of remaining inside. This wastes energy
- The new aerofoils direct the cold air back into the fridge so less is wasted
- Aerofoils similarly divert air over and around F1 cars to give them more downforce and allow them to corner faster
- At night, additional draw down-blinds are used on the fridges to keep cold air in
Sainsbury’s Head of Refrigeration John Skelton said: “We’re proud to be giving our fridges a turbo boost with this fantastic aerodynamic technology. Aerofoils help the airflow around F1 cars and can improve their performance – and that’s exactly how they help the fridges in our stores, by keeping the cold air in. This F1-inspired innovation has already shown it can cut carbon produced by major refrigerators.”
Craig Wilson, Managing Director of Williams Advanced Engineering, added: “Williams Advanced Engineering’s mantra is to take the best of Formula One technology and knowhow and work with a range of industries to help improve their products and services. Much of our work focuses on improving energy efficiency and the collaboration with Aerofoil Energy is a perfect example of how Formula One innovations can have a tangible benefit to ordinary people and the environment. This technology has global potential and the savings in operational costs and emissions are extremely promising.”
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